This report examines the pilot year collection of radiotherapy waiting times for 2013-14.
In 2013-14, radiotherapy was delivered at 72 different locations across Australia:
- 53 of these reported data to this collection
- 37 out of 38 public radiotherapy providers contributed.
These service providers reported almost 47,700 courses of radiotherapy that started in 2013‒14.
People who started radiotherapy in 2013-14
- 53% of treatments had a curative intent. 40% was palliative.
- Almost 37,700 courses were delivered in public settings, and 10,000 in private settings.
- The most common principal diagnoses were breast, prostate and lung cancers.
Radiotherapy waiting times
- 50% of non-emergency treatments started within 13 days.
- 90% of non-emergency treatments started within 33 days.
- 90% of emergency cases started treatment on the same or next day.
- 41 of the 53 services participated (almost 38,700 courses).
- Waiting time is the number of days between when the patient was ready-for-care, and when the radiotherapy started.
- 50% of palliative patients started treatment within 7 days (90% within 21 days).
- 50% of curative patients started treatment within 18 days (90% within 35 days).